Whether you choose to wander along the beach in Termoli or meander along paths in snow capped Matese mountains who will be amidst a carpet of colour.
The flower photos here have all been taken during the last month here in Molise, in the mountains, and by the sea. The colours are so incredible, especially in the flowers like Gentian. It is a bright blue, which seems to have an intensity I have never seen before.
In contrast, a scarlet Poppy photographed on the sand dunes near Termoli, sitting below it is a purple crocus nestled in the snow in the mountains above Guardiaregia.
And here is the Gentian growing in a mountain meadow.
A simple rose at the Samnite village of Altilia
Almond blossom on the trees in my orchard at home in Lucito.
Cherry Blossom on trees outside a Molise church
Wisteria in bloom in the village of Guardiarega
Tiny pink Cyclamen hiding deep in the woodland at San Giuliano del Sannio
Tiny purple Orchids on the top the Morge near Salcito.
More than a simple Flower
While conducting research about the Flora and fauna in the Molise region I came across an interesting article about the use of plants and flowers in folk medicine (Ethnobiology) in Molise
As Molise is a region largely uncontaminated by pesticides and fungicides there are still a lot of ancient plants growing in the region, many of which are extremely rare.
The article talks about the use of a number of plants and even animal faeces being used to cure a variety of ills in both man and beast.
For some there is a modicum of scientific evidence to suggest why they might work, but for others there is no real indication that they have any have any benefit at all.
Indeed some are perhaps merely based on folklore, or even related to the ancient practice of witchcraft.
Here are some examples used as cures for common aliments
The Sow Whistle, which is found growing wild in villages across the region, was apparently used to cure insect bites and as an anti venom agent, but it had to be fried first! Seemingly this is no longer used.
GARLIC ...This is still used a great deal here in Italy and there seems to be a significant evidence that it does indeed have some very effective properties.
Garlic produces a chemical called allicin. This is what seems to make garlic work for certain conditions. Allicin also makes garlic smell. Some products are made "odourless" by ageing the garlic, but this process can also make the garlic less effective. It's a good idea to look for supplements that are coated (enteric coating) so they will dissolve in the intestine and not in the stomach.
The article quoted here interesting goes on to detail the use of some other rather unpleasant items like dead mice, but these do not seem to be used anymore.
I have only dipped into this fascinating topic of Folk Medicine here in this blog, merely intending to highlight the uniqueness of the Molise region. I will write at length about in a book dedicated to Molise Folkllore which will be ready for print later in 2017.
